Ageist+Speech

Ageist Speech [] What it means? **//Ageism is mainly referred to as older people but also can be referred to all age groups. It is referred to as discrimination based on age.//**

How can we be sensitive to it? **//There are two different forms of ageism, individual ageism and institutional ageism. Individual ageism is a general disrespect that many people exhibit towards older people. Institutional ageism can be seen in mandatory retirement laws and age restrictions in certain jobs. Popular language examples for ageism: lil old lady, old hag, old timer and over the hill. You also communicate ageism when you speak to older people in overly simple words or explain overly explained things that don’t need explaining. Nonverbally you demonstrate ageist communication when you avoid touching older people but you will touch others and when you avoid making eye contact with your peers. One useful way to avoid ageism is to recognize and avoid the illogical stereotypes that ageist is based on://**
 * **//Avoid talking down to a person because he or she is older. Older people are not mentally slow but remain mentally alert.//**
 * **//Refrain from refreshing an older person’s memory each time you see the person. Older people can and do remember things.//**
 * **//Avoid implying the relationships are no longer important. Older people continue to be interested in relationships. Speak in a normal volume and maintain a normal physical distance. Being older does not necessarily mean being hard of hearing or being unable to see.//**
 * **//Engage older people in conversation as you would wish to be engaged. Older people are interested in the world around them.//**